To help me in my reminiscence, I decided to seek the help of Facebook. Our Facebook profiles have become such reliable documentary records of our lives, what with all the random statuses and links we post.
TV SERIES
My wall was replete with rants and raves about my favorite TV series. Some officially ended (Ghost Whisperer, FlashForward and Ugly Betty), but I discovered new ones (Lie To Me, The Good Wife, Modern Family, The Big C)! So overall, it was a great TV year for me. Hehe!
ELECTIONS
2010 was an election year for the Philippines. We actually had two – one in back in May and another one back in October. The Presidential Election was quite eventful in terms of issues simply because it was hotly contested and it was a point in our history where we as a people were in a very important crossroad. Whether we chose the right path, we have yet to find out. The barangay election in late October was quite personal for me because my brother-in-law ran for Councilor. He lost, but not without bitter stories to tell. Haha! The thing is, despite and in spite of the seemingly hopeless case that is the Philippines, I’m not giving up just yet.
NEW HOBBIES
2010 saw me having three important endeavors and hobbies – badminton, cooking and driving.
2010 saw me having three important endeavors and hobbies – badminton, cooking and driving.
Driving is a necessary skill in life so me finally learning how to do so all these years is more of a relief than an achievement, haha! I finally got a driver’s license and I am now able to drive on my own. And I must say, I am actually enjoying it!
I’ve always liked playing badminton as a child but this year, I brought this childhood pastime to a whole new level this year, haha! It all started back in summer when my Aguman friends decided to play. We always had such a wonderful time so played as often as our schedules allowed us. I decided to take this interest seriously because I invested on a badminton racket of my own.
Just like driving, cooking is more of an important life skill than just a random hobby, haha! I decided to buy a gas stove and an LPG tank for the apartment back in late July. At first I thought it would just mean that it’ll be more convenient to prepare my quick dinners and the cheesecakes that I sell. But it eventually turned into some sort of a hobby because I ended up wanting to learn more recipes so that I can vary what me and my housemates eat. Others have pointed out that’s it’s a little unfair that I always do the cooking and they just eat, but I don’t really mind. The way I see it, I’m actually hitting two birds in one stone – it feels I'm "looking out" for them on a whole new level and that feels nice, and I also get to improve my culinary skills. I say it’s a win-win situation for all of us – we all get to eat good food after all. Naks! Haha!
COMLEC
2010 brought me closer to the Lord because I finally signed up for the Commentators and Lectors Guild of our parish. I had the honor of serving Him via ComLec and I can say that it’s as fulfilling and meaningful as I thought it would be. Plus, it was more exciting because I met new wonderful friends and all in all, it was a truly self-enriching endeavor.
CHEESECAKE SALE and LOADXTREME
Because of my extended stay in college, I’ve looked for ways to earn extra income because I didn’t want to be too dependent on the allowance that my parents give me. There was a time when I was an online English tutor to Japanese, haha! This year, I engaged in two business mini-ventures to sort of augment my monthly allowance because I admit, I am not really the frugal kind of person, haha! One was the loading business I which I actually started in late 2009. I don’t really make much and in fact it’s more of a hassle during times when I have more accounts receivable from friends than actual cash on hand, haha! But for as long as they pay in the end, it’s all good. In essence, I still earn extra.
2010 brought me closer to the Lord because I finally signed up for the Commentators and Lectors Guild of our parish. I had the honor of serving Him via ComLec and I can say that it’s as fulfilling and meaningful as I thought it would be. Plus, it was more exciting because I met new wonderful friends and all in all, it was a truly self-enriching endeavor.
CHEESECAKE SALE and LOADXTREME
Because of my extended stay in college, I’ve looked for ways to earn extra income because I didn’t want to be too dependent on the allowance that my parents give me. There was a time when I was an online English tutor to Japanese, haha! This year, I engaged in two business mini-ventures to sort of augment my monthly allowance because I admit, I am not really the frugal kind of person, haha! One was the loading business I which I actually started in late 2009. I don’t really make much and in fact it’s more of a hassle during times when I have more accounts receivable from friends than actual cash on hand, haha! But for as long as they pay in the end, it’s all good. In essence, I still earn extra.
The other one is far more lucrative – cheesecakes sale. Making homemade cheesecakes was just a fun hobby I started way back in 2008 but when my sister and I decided to give away cheesecakes for Christmas last year, my friends told me I should turn it into an actual business. Yes, my cakes are THAT good. Hehe! It also allowed me to improve my culinary skills some more because I was able to experiment on a lot of new flavors.
ISSUES
2010 was a great year for me, albeit it was also quite controversial. Haha! What’s ironic is that the core issues weren’t even mine to begin with, and yet I eventually got sucked into the whirlpool of he-says-she-says melee. Other would argue that I voluntarily involved myself anyway or that I was actually the one who concocted these “issues”, haha. You know, I’m the fabled boy who cried wolf. But really, it’s just that the people who mattered in these various issues just didn’t have the courage to clean their own messes and the debris fell on the unfortunate souls who were within their social and emotional vicinity.
Also, I maintain up to this day that whatever they want to say, to believe or to accuse me of, I can guarantee two things – I never lied, and that I never assumed or believed stuff without hard proof.
SINGAPORE
It all started with a simple Facebook status by my college buddy who was visiting our friends who work in Singapore. I innocently joked about being packed as one of her hand carry luggage so that I can come with her. Within hours, it was like a won a radio contest – I was flying to Singapore for free! I can even begin to describe how wonderful that weekend in November was for me. First of all, I can’t thank my friends, Ate Maan, Kuya William and Dadai, enough for their generosity, haha! I’ve always known that as one of my closest friends ever, they’d “do anything for me”. But I never imagined it would actually include buying me non-promo round trip tickets to visit them in Singapore! Well, obviously they can afford it but I was deeply touched by the gesture. Secondly, because of the that trip, I applied for a “loan” before I even got to have my first career job. Haha! I borrowed moola from my parents for my pocket money. I promised to pay when I’m already working, hehe! Which should be anytime soon because…
THESIS
Ah, this is the year that the good Lord has made! Haha! After two botched attempts (actually, three if I’ll count the one where I wasn’t even able to have an approved proposal, haha), I finally finished my undergraduate thesis. Oh yeah! I know it’s been a long time coming but I don’t care anymore, haha! I am done! Woot! I must say, it wasn’t smooth sailing. There was a point wherein I thought I might fail to deliver yet again, but it turns out I didn’t have to worry at all, haha! And I have a lot of people to thank! This is one giant step towards that elusive college diploma! :D
A WEDDING AND AN ENGAGEMENT
This year was also a momentous one for my closest friends. Ate Maan and Kuya William got married last December 20, while Kuya Lang and Pie got engaged last December 12. Two realizations – when you’ve found The One, everything will simply fall into place and all will be alright; and that I’m really getting old! Haha!
I mean, when I met these guys, most of our problems revolved mainly on acads and petty teenage relationships, haha! Then years later, our topics shifted to more mature stuff like career and well, serious relationships. And now, in our recent get-togethers, we were talking about weddings, marriage and family life. My gard! Haha! I admit, I was a little stressed out because while my contemporaries were already making plans of settling down and looking out farther into their future, in the meantime I am yet to start my own career. But nah, it was just a teeny tiny thought. I remain more hopeful than cynical about my own future. Come on, with such inspirational relationship role models for friends, how can I not be? :D
So there! Those are the major highlights of my year. But before I end this post, allow me to acknowledge some essential things that have remained constant throughout the years.
*More fun times with my different circle of friends. There’s nothing more securing than being in the company of true and genuine friends. Along with my family, they are the reason I sailed through the rougher times of the year.
*For almost a decade now, our family is complete for the holidays! After my high school graduation in 2001, my parents shifted their annual vacation in the Philippines from March-April to December-January so that we can all be together for the holidays. And since it has happened every year since then, I never really got to appreciate the significance of the situation. I’m just super thankful that we get to enjoy this rare privilege.
Let me just end this year end post with my New Year’s Facebook status and the New Year’s text greeting I composed for my friends. For me, these two quotes perfectly sum up the year that was and optimistically welcome the year that will be.
********
2010, you've been a great and eventful year for me, albeit quite controversial and challenging, too. Haha! 2011, 2010 has given me so much that I don't know what to ask/expect from you anymore. Surprise me.
Happy New Year, everyone! (^^,)
2010 meant differently to all of us. Many of us had a great time for the most part. But sadly for some, the past year was not so kind, at certain points, even cruel. But that's all in the past now! 2011's a brand new year, a fresh new start -- another 12 months worth of surprises.
May we always savor the good surprises, and survive the not-so-good ones -- somehow convert them into something useful called "experience", haha!
Happy New Year! (^^,)
Ah, this is the year that the good Lord has made! Haha! After two botched attempts (actually, three if I’ll count the one where I wasn’t even able to have an approved proposal, haha), I finally finished my undergraduate thesis. Oh yeah! I know it’s been a long time coming but I don’t care anymore, haha! I am done! Woot! I must say, it wasn’t smooth sailing. There was a point wherein I thought I might fail to deliver yet again, but it turns out I didn’t have to worry at all, haha! And I have a lot of people to thank! This is one giant step towards that elusive college diploma! :D
A WEDDING AND AN ENGAGEMENT
This year was also a momentous one for my closest friends. Ate Maan and Kuya William got married last December 20, while Kuya Lang and Pie got engaged last December 12. Two realizations – when you’ve found The One, everything will simply fall into place and all will be alright; and that I’m really getting old! Haha!
I mean, when I met these guys, most of our problems revolved mainly on acads and petty teenage relationships, haha! Then years later, our topics shifted to more mature stuff like career and well, serious relationships. And now, in our recent get-togethers, we were talking about weddings, marriage and family life. My gard! Haha! I admit, I was a little stressed out because while my contemporaries were already making plans of settling down and looking out farther into their future, in the meantime I am yet to start my own career. But nah, it was just a teeny tiny thought. I remain more hopeful than cynical about my own future. Come on, with such inspirational relationship role models for friends, how can I not be? :D
So there! Those are the major highlights of my year. But before I end this post, allow me to acknowledge some essential things that have remained constant throughout the years.
*More fun times with my different circle of friends. There’s nothing more securing than being in the company of true and genuine friends. Along with my family, they are the reason I sailed through the rougher times of the year.
*For almost a decade now, our family is complete for the holidays! After my high school graduation in 2001, my parents shifted their annual vacation in the Philippines from March-April to December-January so that we can all be together for the holidays. And since it has happened every year since then, I never really got to appreciate the significance of the situation. I’m just super thankful that we get to enjoy this rare privilege.
Let me just end this year end post with my New Year’s Facebook status and the New Year’s text greeting I composed for my friends. For me, these two quotes perfectly sum up the year that was and optimistically welcome the year that will be.
********
2010, you've been a great and eventful year for me, albeit quite controversial and challenging, too. Haha! 2011, 2010 has given me so much that I don't know what to ask/expect from you anymore. Surprise me.
Happy New Year, everyone! (^^,)
2010 meant differently to all of us. Many of us had a great time for the most part. But sadly for some, the past year was not so kind, at certain points, even cruel. But that's all in the past now! 2011's a brand new year, a fresh new start -- another 12 months worth of surprises.
May we always savor the good surprises, and survive the not-so-good ones -- somehow convert them into something useful called "experience", haha!
Happy New Year! (^^,)
No comments:
Post a Comment